Latest ‘Pirates’ movie tops billion-dollar mark—Disney

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz poses before a poster of the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie, where she is cast opposite Johnny Depp. AFP FILE PHOTO

LOS ANGELES—The latest “Pirates of the Caribbean” blockbuster has crossed the billion-dollar mark at the global box office, Disney said Tuesday — only the eighth movie in history to do so.

The fourth installment in the swashbuckling adventure franchise, starring Johnny Depp in his much-loved performance as Captain Jack Sparrow, passed the threshold on Saturday, said the statement.

“‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ has shown us just how strongly this story and these characters resonate with people the world over,” said Walt Disney Studios chairman Rich Ross, noting that five of the 10 biggest films of all time are Disney features.

Famed producer Jerry Bruckheimer hailed Depp’s performance and the work of director Rob Marshall.

“There can be no greater thrill or satisfaction than knowing that you’ve been fortunate enough to produce a series of films which have delighted millions all over the world,” he added.

In total, the four “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies have earned a combined $3.68 billion in global box office, said Disney.

At first place in the film gross rankings is director and writer James Cameron’s “Avatar,” with $2.78 billion, followed by “Titanic” with $1.84 billion, also from Cameron.

Next up is Peter Jackson’s third installment of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy — “The Return of the King” — which made $1.12 billion, then at fourth the second “Pirates of the Caribbean” film, which made $1.06 billion.